Premier League release ‘awful’ VAR audio from Bruno Fernandes red card decision, their mistake is obvious

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes endured a tough week where he received back-to-back red cards.

The Portuguese playmaker is currently going through his worst run of form at Manchester United since his £47m move in 2020.

Bruno Fernandes‘ performances have dropped well below his high standard this season and things went from bad to worse when he was sent off in successive games.

The first came in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, with Fernandes sent off after referee Chris Kavanagh deemed his challenge on James Maddison to be reckless.

Because the sending-off was in the Premier League, Fernandes was still available for United’s trip to Porto, but the 30-year-old was sent off again after picking up a second yellow card for a high-foot challenge.

VAR audio released for Bruno Fernandes red card

The decision to send off Fernandes against Spurs was nothing short of shocking. United were terrible on the day, but Tottenham’s latest capitulation adds a new perspective to the red card.

The Premier League overturned Fernandes’ suspension and rescinded the red card after admitting it was a mistake to send him off at Old Trafford against Spurs.

The audio from VAR during the decision-making process has now been shared publicly, and it highlights the mistakes made by the officials.

Via Sky Sports, as soon as Fernandes made the challenge on Maddison, the assistant video referee said: “That’s awful mate. That’s a red card for me, 100 per cent. On-field decision is red card.

VAR official Peter Bankes then replied: “It’s not studs. It’s shin height. It’s a deliberate act and made no attempt to play the ball. The angle doesn’t show it’s with studs. There is a slip but I think ref’s call.”

Despite pointing out that Fernandes’ challenge was only shin height, without studs and was a slip – the VAR refused to send Kavanagh to the screen to re-watch the challenge.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb even admitted that VAR made a mistake: “It was [a mistake],” he said.

“We hear on the audio that the assistant said it was a red card offence and the referee takes that advice.”

Bruno Fernandes needs to step up

In Erik ten Hag‘s biggest moment of need, his captain has fallen well short of expectations.

Fernandes has been really struggling in recent weeks, and a break from the starting lineup may have actually helped him rediscover his form.

READ MORE: Manchester United shown their next Bruno Fernandes in ‘exceptional’ £17m midfielder

However, Ten Hag has continued to show faith in him despite the two red cards against Tottenham and Porto.

The international break is well-timed for Fernandes to step away and recollect himself. When United return to action against Brentford, it seems Ten Hag will still be in charge and he will need Fernandes to step up.